“No,” I replied. “Kendra’s boys are nine years old. Lily is three.”

Her eyes narrowed. I knew that look. It was the same one I’d seen growing up whenever I questioned her about something she had already decided wasn’t worth discussing.

Before either of us spoke again, her phone rang. Kendra. Because both hands were full of shopping bags, Brenda answered on speaker.

“Mom, did you find the matching boots?” Kendra asked immediately.

“Yes, but we’ve had a little situation.”

“What happened?”